A Nebraska candidate, seen as pivotal for Democrats aiming to regain control of the House, has a peculiar way of coping with the challenges posed by President Trump.
Dennis Powell, who secured the Democratic primary for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District on May 13, advised supporters of a women’s PAC to take a step back and “read fairy nonsense” in response to Trump’s win over Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
In an Instagram video posted on Inauguration Day 2025, Powell encouraged viewers to engage in simple pleasures: “Today, do little things that bring you joy. Stop watching the news. Stop following social media. Eat some comfort food. Go out with friends. Watch junk TV.”
“Read Fairy Fools. It’s my current obsession. But remember, we’re in this for the long haul. Today marks just the beginning of an arduous journey. We’ve faced challenges before,” she added. “I’ll do it again and continue to push forward.”
This “fairy smut” genre, blending romance and fantasy, features muscular male fairies endowed with magical powers, who find love and embark on passionate escapades with human women.
Set in enchanted cities replete with castles and gardens, these tales often involve fairies using their powers for abstract encounters, mind-reading, and epic adventures filled with dragons and violence. The genre has seen a notable rise, propelled by titles like Sarah J. Maas’s *A Court of Thorns and Roses* and Rebecca Jarosz’s *The Fourth Wing*, which gained popularity on platforms like TikTok.
The latter is currently being adapted into a series on Prime Video.
The 2nd Congressional District, often referred to as the “Blue Dot,” is one of only three districts won by Harris in the last election, represented by Republican Don Bacon. With Bacon opting out of running for another term in 2026, the race has become crucial for House Democrats.
As Powell preps to face off against Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding in November, analysts consider the contest “lean Democratic.” Harding has the endorsement of Trump.
Powell narrowly defeated state Sen. John Kavanaugh in the primary, winning by 2.1 points, roughly 1,400 votes, emphasizing the potential threat to Nebraska’s electoral vote under Republican leadership post-Kavanaugh.
“With the White House and Supreme Court targeting our voting and reproductive rights, it’s vital to establish protections for Nebraska families at all levels,” she asserted in May, urging Kavanaugh to stand firm for his constituents.
Outside interest groups have contributed over $6 million to bolster Powell’s campaign.
Kavanaugh had previously indicated support for her opponent during the Democratic primary, considering her a non-viable candidate for the general election.
Having participated in the Women’s March against Trump in 2017, Powell has centered her campaign around opposition to Trump and MAGA supporters, focusing on topics like tariffs, health care, and abortion, as outlined on her campaign platform.
No comments were received from Powell’s campaign representatives when approached.
